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A southeast Queensland family whose Christmas lights went viral online have been forced to switch off the display for good.
The massive festive display features an 11-metre inflatable Santa Claus and large Super Mario on the front lawn lights as well as lights so bright, they needed approval from the Aviation Authority.
David and Chloe Strickland say they've received abusive messages over their festive home to the point they can't continue.
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"Seeing my wife in tears reading through the messages, it's it's really upsetting," David told 9News.
"When my family doesn't feel safe at home, that's where I draw the line."
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The display at 12 Bedarra Crescent has been drawing families to Burpengary East from far and wide for the last five Christmases.
"Hearing the joy in the screams of the kids, it's priceless," David said.
The Merry Strickland Christmas has been growing bigger every year but these holidays, the Strickland family home has been widely thought to be Queensland's best and brightest light display.
"Probably 12 months in the planning [and] this year, it took eight weeks to set up," David said.
"So lots of annual leave and nighttime shifts."
But now, they're being switched off for good "due to the backlash from the community".
The Stricklands had planned to keep the lights going for the rest of the year but tonight, their home will stay dark – calling it quits, after weeks of online abuse and even threats.
Traffic disruptions have attracted the most complaints from residents of surrounding streets.
The Stricklands could be persuaded to return next year though, after being inundated with supportive messages across social media.
"Just absolutely beautiful heartfelt messages and you know, reading those gives me a lot of hope and makes me remember why I do it," David said.
